Highlights of Fred Olsen's epic 87-night Grand Voyage to the Amazon & Antarctica in winter 2028

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

Cruising the wild, and wildly beautiful, Amazon is up there with that perennial bucket list dream of sailing to epic Antarctica. The good news is that with Fred Olsen returning to the Amazon for the first time in nine years, you can now enjoy both of these sublime experiences on its brand new voyage set to sail from the UK for winter 2028.

The epic Grand Voyage: Amazon & Antarctica Adventure* will see you ease away from Southampton on the stately and comfortable ship Borealis* in the wake of a flurry of famous adventurers on an 87-night voyage that takes in both the Amazon and Antarctica, as well as a flurry of further world-class destinations like the Canaries and the Falkland Islands.

There are bucket list cities too, like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, and you get to sail by Cape Horn, on a voyage where the scenic, natural and cultural highlights just keep coming as you call at 28 ports across 17 countries and five continents. What are you waiting for?

Top ports on the Grand Voyage

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Columbus last made landfall in the Canaries before he headed across the ocean blue for the Americas, so Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, is a fitting send-off point. It's awash with history, great cafés and plenty of restaurants, and a handy shopping stop before the Atlantic sea days.

One tour option is the cable car to the top of Mount Teide; at 3,718 m high, it's almost three times higher than Ben Nevis. There is your first beach option too, with Playa de Las Teresitas and its golden sands just 10 minutes away.

Climate in Santa Cruz

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Tenerife.

Manaus, Brazil

Manaus is the capital of the huge Brazilian state of Amazonas and is a beguiling collage of rainforest and city. There is the 'Meeting of the Waters', where dark and light waters enjoy a dramatic dalliance. As one of the world's most isolated large cities, the best way to get here is on the water.

Hunt out bargains in the local markets and enjoy the energy of the waterfront. The grand Amazon Theatre hails from the city's rubber boom glory days; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site that staged its first performance in 1897.

Climate in Manaus

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Brazil.

Grand Voyage: Amazon & Antarctica Adventure* - discover every detail of this memorable cruise to the Southern Hemisphere from 5 January 2028 to 1 April 2028 with Fred Olsen*.

Willemstad, Curaçao

The 2026 FIFA World Cup put plucky Curaçao on the map, but this Caribbean island was already well worth visiting. Its Dutch heritage gives it a very different vibe from many of the other Caribbean islands.

Colourful Willemstad, Curaçao
Colourful Willemstad, Curaçao © Elvirkin - Adobe Stock Image

The striking bright hues of the colonial architecture have earned Willemstad a place on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The cruise port is right next to it all, so immerse yourself in the gorgeous buildings and their cafés, bars, museums and plentiful shops. Or head to the beach for the day.

Climate in Willemstad

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Curaçao.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Quite simply one of the world's great cities, whose Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue and starched white Copacabana Beach are seared into the global tourist consciousness.

Delve deeper into the local culture on a tour: gawp at the size and storied past of the passionate Maracanã Stadium and enjoy the laidback appeal of Ipanema's shoreline. You're handily in Rio overnight, a sentence brimming with promise in itself.

Climate in Rio de Janeiro

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Brazil.

What will the weather be like? Use our worldwide climate guides to find out what conditions to expect in each port on the Grand Voyage.

Antarctica

This is the big one. I've sailed all the world's oceans, and there is just nothing quite like Antarctica. You'll never forget the sight of this jaw-dropping frozen continent, its sheer scale and grandeur. And utter silence.

Admire unclimbed mountains that soar from the iceberg-ravaged waters as you look out for wildlife. Speaking of which, you'll see multiple species of super cute penguins, through to all manner of marine mammals; half a dozen humpback whales accompanied our ship for an entire evening last time I was in Antarctica.

Climate in Esperanza

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Antarctica.

Falkland Islands

Of special interest to visitors from the UK, given the 1982 conflict with Argentina, the archipelago of the Falkland Islands has remarkable scenery and wildlife, from penguins through to seabirds and seals.

The imprint of mankind is fascinating, with Port Stanley a window into life here adrift in the vastness of the ocean. The whalebone arch at the Christ Church Cathedral ties into the embedded maritime heritage, and you can learn more about the Falklands War around Port Stanley too.

Climate in Port Stanley

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in the Falkland Islands.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

An overnight stop in the Argentinian capital is a sheer joy. If you're a meat lover, you just have to try the brilliant (and brilliant value) steak. One of the grandest and most elegant cities in South America, the wide boulevards and lavish architecture impress, none more than in Plaza de Mayo.

The legacy of Eva Perón still ripples through Buenos Aires and her tomb is a place of pilgrimage. Or spice up your stay by savouring tango or visiting La Boca, a vibrant quarter famous for its brightly painted houses and distinctive character.

Climate in Buenos Aires

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Find out more about the climate in Argentina.

Scenic sailing

This memorable cruise encounters a swathe of epic scenery you can admire from the decks of Fred Olsen, in one of the restaurants or just from your cabin. Look out for:

  • The Atlantic Ocean - obvious, yes, but while crossing the Atlantic, scan for the bountiful wildlife, from seabirds and dolphins to all manner of whales
  • Barra Norte, Brazil - sailing past the mouth of the Amazon, where the river meets the Atlantic, you realise just how special this iconic river is
  • The Amazon, Brazil - it's a life-affirming experience savouring the drama, flora and fauna of this lifeblood river and witnessing life in the riverside communities too
  • Cape Horn - you realise you're actually cruising to Antarctica as you round the last flourish of South America and the spot where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet, and the tales of countless explorers electrify the salty air
  • Drake's Passage - navigating the Drake Passage is another serious box-ticker for anyone who has ever dreamt of stepping aboard a cruise ship. Named after Sir Francis Drake, the crossing is often accompanied by albatrosses and humpback whales

Ready to book the cruise of a lifetime? Browse the current online offers on Fred Olsen sailings for 2027/2028 and book your berth today.

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie is a Scottish travel writer, author and broadcaster. He has visited over 100 countries and regularly writes about Scotland and the Canary Islands. As well as frequently contributing to Weather2Travel.com, Robin writes for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and Wanderlust, and has authored more than 30 guidebooks.

Posted in: Caribbean Central America Cruises South America

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